Britain's Asian Diversity--the Sources of Conflict

BRITAIN, UK, April 20, 2001: In Britain, the non-white minority ethnic groups are estimated at 3.8 million or just under seven per cent of the population. Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities make up about 1.87 million of this figure. Along with religious and cultural differences, socio-economic levels vary widely within the Asian community. Indian children show the highest rates of success at school, while the lowest rate is seen among Pakistani and Bangladeshi students. According to Department of Education and Employment statistics, whites have the lowest rate of unemployment, followed by people of Indian origin. The highest rate is found among the Bangladeshi community. Tariq Modood, a professor of sociology at the University of Bristol, notes that Indians were the first Asians to bring their families to Britain, as early as the 1960's. Pakistanis and Bangladeshis came much later and were generally less qualified when they arrived. Although all Asian youth are increasingly going to university, there is growing social and economic division within the communities. The gap between well educated and under educated is leading to tensions among the black and white people from all communities.